What is a wireless repeater and what is the optimal way to use it?

You can use a wireless repeater (for example FRITZ!WLAN Repeater to extend the range of your wireless network. The repeater is connected to the existing wireless network (for example from your FRITZ!Box) and then makes its own additional wireless network available; wireless devices connected to it can then in turn connect with your home network. This means that the wireless repeater does not amplify the signal; instead, it repeats it.

To guarantee the best possible results when extending the range of your wireless network, you should take the infrastructure of your home into account when selecting a repeater. You must also take a number of factors into account when selecting the optimal location for it. In this guide, we give you advice on selecting the perfect repeater for your home network.

Which wireless repeaters can I use with my router?

A wireless repeater must connect with the router; different procedures exist.

Wireless repeaters that only function as repeaters, such as the FRITZ!WLAN Repeater, use the "Universal Repeater Mode" procedure and behave towards the router like conventional wireless devices. This means that you can use this type of wireless repeater with all conventional wireless routers.

Some wireless routers can also increase the wireless range. Wireless routers usually use manufacturer-specific methods to act as wireless repeaters; as a result, often they only can be used with a wireless router from the same manufacturer.

"Wireless Distribution System" (WDS) is a non-proprietary procedure that enables wireless routers to be used as repeaters; however, its development was discontinued over 10 years ago. Therefore, the WDS standard only allows use of the unsafe WEP encryption procedure and slow throughput rates according to 802.11g, which means only rates of up to 54 Mbit/s gross. Current AVM products do not support WDS due to these limitations.

We have developed a solution that supports the secure WPA2 encryption method as well as throughput rates according to 802.11n and 802.11ac. Starting with FRITZ!OS 5.50, most of the FRITZ!Boxes can also be used as a wireless repeater with a FRITZ!Box.

Can I use more than one wireless repeater?

Yes, it is possible to use more than one repeater. They must either be connected directly with the wireless router to increase the range in different directions, or connected with each other so that the range in a particular direction is increased. However, the latter method can cause more problems than the benefits it offers, since in such a cascade, the wireless speed is halved with each single repeater used, for example.

Does a wireless repeater reduce the wireless speed?

This is not always the case. With most wireless repeaters, the bandwidth for wireless devices is halved because they only have a single transmitter and receiver unit (radio), which means that it cannot simultaneously send and receive. If it is receiving a data package from a wireless device, it cannot transmit it directly to the router until the wireless device has finished transmitting to the repeater.

This is different with repeaters with two radios, for example the FRITZ!WLAN Repeater 1750E. If it is connected with a wireless router that also has two radios, for example FRITZ!Box 7590, data can always be transmitted without the wait, if different frequency bands are used for each path (crossband repeating). If the repeater is connected with a wireless repeater that does not support the simultaneous use of both frequency bands, at least you will not experience waiting time with the repeater on the other frequency band.

What is crossband repeating and how does it work?

Crossband repeating is a procedure where the repeater and router are connected over one particular frequency band, but wireless devices are connected with the repeater's other frequency band.

For example, if a wireless device is connected to a repeater using the 5 GHz frequency band, then the repeater uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band for the connection to the router. This does not result in speed loss because each frequency band uses its own transmitting and receiving unit; as a result, there is a continuous data flow.

The FRITZ!WLAN Repeater takes it even a step further; in addition to the crossband repeating procedure, it can flexibly select the frequency band for the connection between the repeater and router; this way the best setting is automatically selected for the current transmission situation.

Where should I position a wireless repeater?

If the repeater is connected to the router over wireless LAN, it must be located within the range of the wireless network so that both of the wireless networks overlap. Since the repeater is connected with the wireless router's wireless network, it must be placed where the quality of the router's wireless signal is good. If the router and repeater also use the same wireless settings, wireless devices can register themselves with the device that has the best signal strength, with virtually no interruptions. Switching between both of these wireless networks is called roaming.

An optimal location for the repeater is somewhere where there are as few obstacles as possible between it, the wireless router, and the other wireless devices. In particular, metallic objects or objects containing water, for example radiators, a refrigerator, or even houseplants, significantly reduce the quality of the wireless signal. A repeater should also be placed at a distance from other transmitters such as microwaves, a baby monitor, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

Many wireless repeaters also have a LAN port, for example the FRITZ!WLAN Repeater 1750E; this allows you to use it, even if the repeater is not within the router's wireless range. This enables your wireless network devices to access your home network, even at a great distance from your router.

For the connection between the repeater and the router, you can either use a LAN cable up to 100 meters in length, or you can also use powerline devices, such as FRITZ!Powerline.